A-level: French AND Spanish - Also, Maths?

I'm waiting on my GCSE results and will probably be doing French, Spanish, Eng Lit, Maths for A-level (althought still don't know about the Maths, might only do 3).

To anyone who has done French and Spanish for A-level, do you get mixed up between the two and stuff like that?

Also, is Maths for A-level really hard compared to GCSE? I know it will be harder, but you know what I mean... ...?

Reply 1

Madelyn

13

I did French and German at A Level (as well as Latin and even some non-languages!), and while I did find it a bit confusing at times, and I can imagine that it would be more so with languages as closely related as French and Spanish, it's not that much of an issue. I never found it so bad that I was trying to talk French in a German exam, for example. And there are benefits, as well: often the two languages support each other, especially if you're discussing something like the EU - you can simply bring in your ideas from the other language.
That looks like a really good combination of subjects: they show a range of skills and interests, especially with the contrast of Maths with the humanities.

Reply 2

anon53

4

Many people take 2 (or more) languages to A-Level, so I would certainly recommend it. Although I am currentlyin the same position as you, awaiting GCSE results, languages open up some many other oppotunities such as working abroad,teaching, translation etc which are all usually highly paid. It might be an issue at first, but I'm sure over time it willbecome insignificant. If you are enthusiastixc about both languages then you are less likely to make those kind of mistakes. You have a good range of subjects and demonstrate your ability to problem solve effectively with Maths; communicate using the 4 major skills of language-learning in French and Spanish and show your ability to write in a coherent essay form for English Literature which should leave as many doors as possible open for the future.

Best of luck.

Reply 3

kellywood_5

17

I personally don't do 2 languages at A-level, but I'm probably going to do a GCSE in Spanish next year along with A2 French. I think if you love both languages, it would be really rewarding, and although it might be confusing at times, it shouldn't be too bad. You've chosen some really good subjects there :smile:

I've heard maths is a lot harder than GCSE, but then so are languages (not trying to put you off, they're great! :biggrin:

) and if you work hard at it, you should be fine.

Reply 4

isabella19

10

I do French and Spanish (not at A Level) and I find they support each other more than anything.

For example, if you are stuck in Spanish for the word 'swimming pool', you will remember the French 'piscine' and that in turn will trigger your brain to remember 'piscina' in Spanish.

I know that is a v v v simple example, but hopefully you get my jist!

Also it makes the listening exams easier, for the same reason that it jogs your memory.

You've probably worked this out already, so I'll stop my rambling :smile:

Reply 5

chrismuk

OP

Cheers for the advise.

Anymore comments are appreciated.

Reply 6

ssmoose

13

For maths: Core 1 is like GCSE, Core 2 is a little harder. Which applied modules will you do? Stats, Mechanics or Decision? All 3 of these are very accessible and if your are good at maths (A grade GCSE) can probably get 80 UMS (an A) fairly easily. I presume that you wont be taking pure maths AS because you seem to be a languagey person.

Reply 7

kellywood_5

17

What grades are you predicted for those subjects at GCSE? I think, as a general guide, it's safest to have A*s in languages, although As are fine too. Bs are a bit more risky, but if you put the work in, it's still possible to get a good grade at A-level. The same probably applies to maths. As for English lit, an A or a B would be good, but a C would probably be OK if you worked hard.

Reply 8

Nofer

chrismuk

I'm waiting on my GCSE results and will probably be doing French, Spanish, Eng Lit, Maths for A-level (althought still don't know about the Maths, might only do 3).

To anyone who has done French and Spanish for A-level, do you get mixed up between the two and stuff like that?

Also, is Maths for A-level really hard compared to GCSE? I know it will be harder, but you know what I mean... ...?

I did french and spanish as-level and next will do them both for a-level. I must say i really enjoy learning languages so I found it quite easy to study both the languages. At first, you will get quite confused - everyone does - but after a while it becomes almost impossible to confuse the two! Don't worry about that!
However, you should worry about Mathematics, I did the as level course and absolutly hated it. At gcse I found it quite interesting and got an A* but at as level for me it totally changed! It become the most awfuk thing in the world, and it wasn't because it was hard it was because it was boring. I dont want to dissuade you if you reqally like it as there were some who did, but if you are like me (enjoying languages) then I strong;y think you should consider something else.

Norer

Reply 9

chrismuk

OP

Thanks for the comments again.

I'm hoping to get A or A* in all those subjects mentioned.

Reply 10

Comp_Genius

4

A-Level Maths is a joke. Even one of my friends said that "Geography is harder than Maths". Clearly not true in real life but true for A-Levels.

Just make sure you pick all the easy modules.
so C1 - C4, M1 and S1.

Reply 11

kitsune

12

DONT DROP SPANISH!!! lol! :wink:

I few people in my year did AS Maths along with Spanish and French Alevel... but I have to say they didnt do very good (in Maths... in French and Spanish AA :smile:

)

Reply 12

kellywood_5

17

chrismuk

Thanks for the comments again.

I'm hoping to get A or A* in all those subjects mentioned.

You should be fine then :smile:

Reply 13

chrismuk

OP

Yep... got my results, and got A in all those subjects mentioned.

Reply 14

Craver

This thread has actually drawn attention to the fact that my grades tomorrow could give or deny me one thing: choice.

Congratulations on getting your A grades in the languages! I also do French and Spanish, although I haven't really thought about it much since I chose them both. Looking back, I actually think that they're really useful. I've always said I'm only doing one of them at AS, and I've had 4 firm AS levels in mind; now I'm completely unsure.

Roll on results day!!

Reply 15

chrismuk

OP

ssmoose

For maths: Core 1 is like GCSE, Core 2 is a little harder. Which applied modules will you do? Stats, Mechanics or Decision? All 3 of these are very accessible and if your are good at maths (A grade GCSE) can probably get 80 UMS (an A) fairly easily. I presume that you wont be taking pure maths AS because you seem to be a languagey person.

I have now picked Maths and we are doing 2 Pure Mathematics modules and 1 Mechanics module.

I think I am going to struggle with these 4 AS Levels, and am thinking about dropping Eng Lit.

A-level: French AND Spanish - Also, Maths?

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